‘Environment’ Archives
Author: deanfiihr Published: May 7th, 2010
During the 2010 Legislative Session, with the help of the U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration (EDA) we have officially given $4 billion in recovery funds to the 2008 disaster.
The Iowa Legislature has successfully approved nearly $65 million in recovery funds for state and community recovery programs. The EDA also made several significant announcements including $35 million to the City of Cedar Rapids for construction of the new downtown events center, $3 million to the Cedar Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce to build a Regional Commerce Center and Small Business Incubator, and $22 million to Iowa City to fund the relocation of the North Wastewater Treatment Facility.
For more information the Rebuild Iowa Office (RIO) has created a “State of Iowa Disaster Recovery Funding Sources” booklet. The booklet can be accessed on the RIO’s Web site homepage or by clicking: http://www.rio.iowa.gov/assets/funding_charts/funding_sources_booklet.pdf.
Category Environment |
Author: deanfiihr Published: April 22nd, 2010
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources recently released its 2010 Condition of the Environment, which details problems and opportunities in outdoor Iowa.
Click here to read the document
For more information, go to iowadnr.gov/status.html
Tags: Department of Natural Resources, DNR, Environment
Category Environment |
Author: deanfiihr Published: April 14th, 2010
The ongoing mission to establish Iowa as a leader in renewable energy received further confirmation as the American Wind Energy Association released its year-end report for 2009. According to AWEA, Iowa leads the nation by generating 14 percent of all of the electricity consumed in the state with wind.
According to the AWEA report, Iowa added 879 megawatts of generational capacity in 2009, an impressive gain in an otherwise stagnant economy. Today, Iowa ranks second in the nation in total generation with 3,670 MW from 2,534 turbines. The national leader in overall production continues to be Texas.
Iowa leads the nation in wind energy jobs and, because of the state’s position, hosts nine international companies manufacturing for the wind industry, with more than 200 manufacturers in the wind power supply chain, employing more than 2,300 Iowans. Additionally, five community colleges and all three Regents institutions have formed the Iowa Alliance for Wind Innovation and Novel Development (IAWIND), a consortium focused on growing the industry and creating further career opportunities.
Tags: Iowa, leader, Wind Energy
Category Environment |
Author: deanfiihr Published: March 26th, 2010
Crafted by the House Rebuild Iowa Committee, the Iowa House has approved a bill to encourage local governments and other public bodies to consider smart planning principles when considering planning, zoning, and development issues.
“Smart planning is really about building strong communities for the next century. From housing to natural resources to energy efficiency to sustainable design, smart planning will help revitalize communities large and small,” said State Representative Donovan Olson of Boone, who chairs the House Environmental Protection Committee.
Senate File 2265 encourage local governments and other public entities to consider ten smart growth principles, including collaboration, renewable energy, revitalization, community character, sustainable design, protection of natural resources, and transportation diversity.
“As Iowa continues to rebuild from 2008, smart planning principles are the key to rebuilding our community even stronger than before. This is a great opportunity to improve the quality of life for Iowans and lay a solid foundation of growth for our state for the next Century,” said State Representative Kirsten Running-Marquardt of Cedar Rapids.
The bill now returns to the Senate.
Category Environment |
Author: deanfiihr Published: March 23rd, 2010
The Iowa Office of Energy Independence (OEI) is seeking proposals under the State Energy Program (SEP) and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) from municipal organizations in Iowa for projects that will reduce energy use, have a positive impact on budgets and enhance economic development through job creation. Up to $4,000,000 of grant funding is available to be awarded under the program.
The purpose of this Request for Proposals (RFP) is to seek projects from entities that are eligible to issue tax-exempt debt, under section 103 of the Internal Revenue Code. These would include school districts, cities, counties, and other local government agencies, or other non-profit entities.
Potential applicants are encouraged to review the RFP application by visiting the link on the OEI web site at: www.energy.iowa.gov. The online application portal for this funding can be found at, www.iowagrants.gov, and will be available beginning today, March 23, 2010. To preview the application, click here.
Category Environment |
